AWCON: Nigeria thump Zambia, South Africa soar

The Zambia Women national soccer team slumped to a 4 – 0 defeat at the ongoing Total Women Africa Cup of Nations at the hands of defending champions Nigeria.

Coach Bruce Mwape stuck with the team that beat Equatorial Guinea 5 – 0 starting with the same XI with Spain based Barbara Banda still missing from the starting XI this time due to injury.

The Copper Queens held up very well until they were opened up on the right by a quick interchange of passes and Ugochi Desire Oparanozie tapped in easily in the 42nd minute.

Nigeria extended the lead in the 70th minute before they made it 3 five minutes later through Rasheedat Bushayo.

With goal difference likely to be a factor in deciding the group, Zambia looked to keep the scoreline at 3 – 0 but a late shot from outside the box easily beat skipper Hazel Nali for the West African’s fourth.

The win puts Nigeria level on points with Zambia though Zambia has a tricky final round fixture against group leader South Africa who pulverised Equatorial Guinea 7 – 1.

Zambia will have to beat South Africa to have a chance of making it to the next round of the tournament.

Yesterday’s game was testimony enough that our Coaches are a very big problem, they cant read the game . At 1-0 , and most especially in the second half , Bruce should have made changes ku left side where that number 13 (Tembo) was operating from as she was always chasing shadows and out of position , seemingly tired. Also , upfront that Kundananji girl was not holding onto the ball as she lost all the balls given to her . It’s either we needed her partnered , most especially that we heard Barbra Banda was on the bench. We lost the match because of an impotent coach , even when we were down at 3-0 and we had 1 substitution left , he could not introduce fresh legs to try and reduce the deficits . Why carry 22 players to a tournament when you know the other 11 wont be used?. It happened with the U-20 at the World Cup , Chambeshi stuck to the same team until they boys couldnt take it anymore after playing several games . When you are down , do the Mourinho way , take out a defender and put an extra attacking player and throw balls in the box , you might be lucky just like Man Utd was against Juventus. I hope these coaches watch these European games. With a 4-0 rout we suffered , and with Banyana Banyana scoring 8 again Equatorial and through to the semi finals , Nigeria will be even ruthless against Equatorial , unless otherwise – and we can guarantee ourselves of an early flight back home and on the drawing board.